Workman s time recorder



June 3 1924.

. 1,496,210 J. A. DEM UTH WORKMANS TIME RECORDER Filed April 6. 1920 z sheezs-sheet 1 575 4 flaw? Z M 7 BY 7 97 43M: WW4

ATTORNEYS 27aheetabbee t 2 June, 3, l924- J A DEMUTH 'WORKMANS TIME RECORDER Filed April 6, 1920 73 e1 7 ATTORNEYS Patented June 3, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,496,210 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. DEMUTH, F OBERLIN, OHIO.

WORKMANS TIME RECORDER.

Application filed April 6,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. DEMUTH,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Oberlin, in the county of Lorain and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Workmens Time Recorders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an apparatus for recording the time of arrival and departure of workmen.

An objectof the invention is the provision of arecorder which may be simple in construct-ion and use, and efficient in permitting rapid registration and in being very difficult to defraud. A more specific object is the provision of a record strip adapted to be advanced beneath a writing opening with means for permitting an indication to be made on the record strip at some definite time, whereby prior and subsequent registrations' may be readily distinguished and with no possibility of confusion between the two. Still another object is the provision of a time controlled device within the recording apparatus arranged to advance the registration strip automatically and serve as an additional checkagainst fraudulent time registration.

The above and other features and objects will be more fully hereinafter described. The essential characteristics of the invent-ion are summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of arecording apparatus, showing in dotted lines the operating mechanism: Fig. 2 is a plan thereof; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section thru the casing of the apparatus showing means for perforating the record strip; Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the strip feeding mechanism; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of modified form of apparatus showing mechanism for automatically advancing the record strip; Fig. 6 is a plan thereof; Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of perforating means with respect to the record strip; and Fig. 8 is a detail of the ratchet connection between the time mechanism and the feed rolls.

The recording devices shown are par ticularly adapted for use in the time recording system shown, described and claimed in my Patent #1,267,989 issued May 28, 1918. Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, I have shown a writing box 10, preferably 1920. Serial No. 371,669.

substantially rectangular, and provided adjacent to one end with a paper strip supply roll 13 pivoted as at 14 in slots 15 in the sides of the box. The end of the strip 11 from the roll 13 is brought over a suitable platen 20 and beneath a slotted plate 21, supported near the top of the box, and is then conducted through feed rolls 22 and 23. A cover 25 may be provided for the box hinged as at 26 and locked in closed posi tion in any suitable manner. The cover is provided withv an opening 24 above offset slots or writing openings 27 and 28 in the plate 21 above the platen 20; the opening 27 being of a size adapted to permit Writing on the record strip a time code symbol (which may be read from a clock displaying different symbols at successive intervals, as described in my. patent above referred to and in my application filed April 23, 1918, Serial 230,344) and the employes signature, while the opening 28 is adapted to permit writing a number which has been assigned to such employe.

The strip feeding means comprises the rolls 22 and 23 between which the paer strip 11 is passed. These rolls are provided with roughened surfaces, for example by covering them with sand paper. They are shown mounted rigidly on the shafts 45 and 46, the lower shaft 46 being supported in bearings in the sides of the bOI-I. The upper shaft 45 is preferably supported in the free ends of a frame 48 pivoted at 47 to the sides of the box. A leaf spring 49 depending from the cover 25 may engage the frame 48 and thereby urge the upper roll 22 into engagement with the lower roll 23. The means shown for rotating the feed rolls to advance the record strip'comprises a ratchet wheel rigidly mounted on the shaft 46 and adapted to be engaged by suitable pawl mechanism. A push pawl 62 is pivoted as at 63 on a slide bar 64 mounted in keepers 66 projecting from the inside wall of the box. 'A slot 67 is rovided in the side of the box through w ich projects a pin 68 secured to the slide bar 64 and on which ries thepawl into engagement with the ratchet Wheel and rotates the latter the distance of one tooth. Upon releasing the handle 69 the spring retracts the pawl and slide to the position shown in Fig. 4. 1

For the purposeof providing a line of demarcation between registrations made within and outside of definite hours such 7 as the time for beginning-and quitting work,

I arrange means beyond the control; ofthe registering employes for marking the record stripat any desired time. Such. means may satisfactorily comprise devices for perforating. the record strip as shown most clearly 'iIrFig; 3Q Preferably rigid with the platen '20 there is a depending bracket fsupporting as bya cap screw 31 an electrofmagnet 32. The magnet maybe of any de sired type, the.oneshownhaving a horseshoe frame 32 with; coils 33 thereon. The armature is shown formed'in the nature of .a' bell crank pivoted at 36 to ears 37 depending-from the platen 20; the armature proper comprising the plate 38 secured to the vertical arm of the bell crank andadapted to move toward and away from the poles 34-01? the magnet. The horizontal arm 39 of the armature' lever' may be guided within a keeper 40 depending from the platen 20.1 At the end of the arm 39 is shown 'cross'arm 4'1 having a row of pins or perforating points 42 adapted to' extend upwardly into registering openings 43 in the platen '20 and plate 21;

hen the circuit through the magnet is closed; the armature will be attracted and] the'arni 39' of the armature lever will move' the record strip mechanically at constant speed beneath the writing opening. The mechanism 1s otherwise quite similar to the embod ment previously described although ithe parts are somewhat differently arranged; In this modified form of appara 'tus there is'shown a box 70' having a paper roll 71 mounted therein on a transverse shaft 72. The free end of the strip 7 6 from the roll 71'is threaded over suitable platen 20 past guiding rollers 73 and betw feed rollers 74 and 75, urged together by a leaf 7 spring 78;" A plate 77 having a single Writmg opening adapted to receive all the registration data is shown above the record strip an'd plateny although it will be understood'an additional ofi'set opening cone 7 spending to the opening 28 in-Fig. 2 may be pro-vided'if desired. 1A cover 8O is provided for the box having a writing opening 81 over the platen 2O and plate77 to expose the Writing slot in the latter. The

strip perforating means including the series of pins 42 actuated by a magnet 32 may be the same as that illustrated in Fig.3.

The feed roll is connected with a timing mechanism 85 mounted in one side of the strip 76 while the signature is being written is negligible. 1 may also use. means for advancing the strip 71 manually; 7

One means of arranging the parts to'pro vide a constant driving connection between the feed rollshaft 79 and the clock-meclr anism 85, and also permit the paperstrip to be advanced manually is shown more particularly. in Fig. 8. The shaft 79is' supported in the side walls of the boxg and carries loosely mounted thereon the u'ltt mate driving gear 89 of the clock gearing 87, and ha s'rigid'ly securedthereon' the feed roll 75, the handle '88 anda ratchet'wheelf 93. The gear 89 has' aZ-sleeve 90, to which is s'ecured an arm 91 with a pawl 92 thereon urged into engagement with the ratchet wheel 93. With this construct-ionqthe feed roll 75 maybe moved manuallyby rotating the knob 88, thus advancing the ratchet wheel 93 at a faster rate than its driving pawl 92 is carried by the clock-gear 89.

-The magnet 32' may be ienergizedat any desired time to cause the pins 42 to per fol-ate the record strip. Thus in thei'ap- .p aiat us shown in Figsl 1 to 4' the manet on time, prevents any employees arriving later, who may have fraudulently discovered and record-edthe last on-time symbol, from receiving creditfor arriving ontime.

In Figs; 3 and 7,*the magnet is shown as connected means of lead wires 96 to a contact switch 95and' battery 97'. This Iswitch may be located at a point remote .from the register,' to be operated only by an authorized person who may cause the perforations of the strip by closing lthis switch. whereupon the battery energizes the solenoids actuating the bell crank 35.

In use the recording apparatus shown in Figs. 1-4: may be placed at a convenient point where the employes are required to sign as they arrive. While the details in the application of my apparatus are described in my patent above referred to form no part of this invention, it may be stated here, by way of explanation, that the workman records the symbol appearing on a clock within view of the recording apparatus, such as the symbol RG, which designates the correct time, and his name, such as J. R. Smith, in the opening 27. The handle 69 is then actuated to advance the ratchet wheel 60 to rotate it one tooth, thereby advancing the strip an amount equal to the width of the opening 27, thus bringing the symbol and signature under the plate 21 and on the same line with the opening 28. The employee then writes in the latter opening his number such as 36, thus completing his registration. The next employee to register, after writing his name and symbol in the blank space on the strip within the opening 27 advances the strip in the same manner to bring a blank portion of the strip beneath the opening 28 in which he inserts his number. Thus by the offsetting of the openings 27 and 28 and the requirement of the employees name and number to be entered in different slots when registering, the symbol denoting the time at which any employee arrived, is carried by him out of sight of the next registrant before the first completes his registration, thus preventing a succeeding employee from copying illegitimately the symbol used by his predecessor. When the hour to begin or quit work arrives the strip is perforated by the means above described, thereby precluding any late employe from successfully registering himself in any manner as being on time.

A further check may be provided by the addition of time controlled means for advancing the record strip. Since the strip is advanced by such a mechanism at a constant speed, the position of any employees registration on the strip may be computed from any point on the strip in terms of time, and even though an employee should surreptitiously acquire knowledge of a symbol which was displayed at an earlier period and register the same, the relative posi tion on the record strip of his registration serves immediately to detect the fraud. Should the automatic mechanism not advance the record strip sufficiently to remove the signature of one employee before the next is ready to sign, the knob 88 may be rotated to advance the strip manually a sufficient amount to present a blank space heneath the registering opening.

It will be understood that the registering apparatus is required to be used Whenever the employee enters or leaves. The used portion of the record strip may be removed by an authorized attendant at desired intervals and turned over to the timekeeper, who is in possession of a key whereby the times represented by the various symbols may be deciphered, and the data assembled and arranged in any desired manner. It will be understood, however, that the symbol. clock may be omitted if desired and the checking features of the perforating means and the automatic advancing of the strip used either alone or concomitantly. Such an arrangement may be desirable in establishments Where the actual time of arrival or depar ture, if within prescribed hours, is immaterial.

I. claim:

1. In a time recorder, a casing having a writing opening, a platen beneath the opening, a record strip adapted to beprogressed over the platen to receive individual registration data and means beyond the control of the registrant for providing on the stri indicating means separating registrations made within and outside of working hours by transverse perforation, and means inaccessible to the registrant for operating the said means.

2. In a time recorder comprising a casing, a record strip therein adapted to receive successive registrations, means mounted within the casing below the record strip adapted to perforate the same between registrations of different character, said means being inoperable by the registrant.

8. In a time recording apparatus, a casing, a record roll supported therein, means for advancing th free end of said roll over a. writing support, a magnet within the casing, and perforating means on the armature thereof adapted when the magnet is energized to perforate the strip.

4. In a time recording apparatus, a casing having a writing surface, a record roll within the casing, means whereby the free end of the roll may be advanced over said writing surface, a magnet within the easing, an armature therefor, means for perforating the strip and movable by the armature, and adapted when the magnet is energized to effect such perforations, means for energizing the magnet, and controlling means therefor located a distance from the casing and inaccessible to the registrant.

5. In a recording device having a writin opening, a record strip extending beneat the opening, means for normally continuously advancing the strip automatically corresponding to the passage of time, and means whereby the strip may be manually advanced in the same direct-ion, ahead of the normal amount, to allow the next registration to be made more quickly.

6. A. combination, a casing, a record strip therein, a writing support beneath an openin the casing, means for automatically advancing said strip according to the passage of time over the writing support, means for accelerating said advancement 1n the same direction as the normal movement of a casing and record strip therein, and means for securing the record strip to allow to receive successlv reg strations, means 6X- tending parallel with the registrations adapted to punch a series of perforations into the strip between registrations; means for operating punch means and a control? ling means therefor remoteffrom the casing and inaccessible to a registrant at the casing, whereby the perforations may separate the registrations prior to given time from those subsequent to given time.

In testimony whereof, I hereuntoafiix my signature. 7

JOHN A. D MUTHQ;

\Vitnesses: V V I HowAno HEEOKIN's, CHAS. H. HABEL. V 

